I’m having a super fun time “pinning” all of my favorite images on the web that I find inspiring. I’m brand new at Pinterest, and really underestimated how brilliant it is. I’d love to see what you all are collecting on Pinterest, too. So far, I’ve started pin boards with things like my favorite toy designs, art, …

Got back late last night from the whirlwind trip to NYC. In case you’re as curious as I was about what it would be like at the Martha Stewart Show, here are a few photos from yesterday. My Editor for Made to Play, Jennifer Urban-Brown, and my publicist, Jennifer Campaniolo, came in from Boston. Here we are, about to go into the studio. Here’s …

Just got done filming the Martha Stewart TV Show! Here’s a photo that my mom took on her phone of the monitor. I’ll post better photos later. I’m in the airport right now getting ready to fly home. It sure was a fantastic trip! Oh, and the show is schedules to air on November 29.

I’m really excited (and a little nervous) to say that I’m flying to New York on Monday to be a guest on the Martha Stewart TV show! I’m going to be making dollhouses and dollhouse furniture with Martha. I’ll be in the studio for two days. The first to set up and practice, the second to film. I’ll let you know how it goes, …

Wow, I’m so excited for my sister Lori. Today her album, “Outside My Door – Songs For Children Of all Ages” got a Parents’ Choice Gold Award! Nice work Lori! See the Parents’ Choice review of Lori’s album here if you’d like! Listen or get Lori’s album at her site, or on iTunes. “We are excited to announce …

I just had the most wonderful experience… Artist/author/teacher Ann Sayre Wiseman came to my house on Monday with her son Kiko Denzer, also an artist. Her phenomenal book, Making Things: The Handbook for Creative Discovery, is one of my all time favorites. You might recall I mentioned her in my interview with Bloesem Kids last year when I talked …

The votes are in ~ Paper City Paris won! If any of you have ideas about what you’d love to see in the design, please let me know! Feel free to leave comments and even upload your favorite photos of Paris (to the Made by Joel Facebook Page) that capture what you love about this enchanting city. Thanks for sharing in this process! And I look forward …

Thank you to The Oregonian newspaper here in Portland, OR USA for the nice write-up on my work and my blog! Photo credit: Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian “It’s hard not to touch things in Joel Henriques’ studio. The tiny wire chaise lounge in a simple dollhouse. The colorful bird cutouts floating from the ceiling. The wood and cloth puppets …

This was a very exciting week for me. Etsy sent their video crew from New York to my studio on Monday to shoot a video craft tutorial for their “How-Tuesday” series. The video will be posted on May 3, but here’s a behind the scenes teaser image. Also, below are a couple of recent How-Tuesday videos that my kids really loved, simply …

My book is now available. I’m really excited! “Made to Play” has 35 craft and toy projects, using wood, fabric, and paper, that promote imaginative and creative play. Here are just a few links for ordering. It’s available world-wide, so if your country is not listed below, you may search the ISBN# 159030912X, or ask your local …

After only three weeks, the Made by Joel Facebook Page is off to a booming start. It’s rapidly turning into a fantastic resource for all kinds of art, crafts, and kids activities. Here are a few of the photos that people have shared (used here with permission). A ring toss toy with multiple targets! Great artwork from kids. Ashleigh made a paper …

I’ve created a brand new Made by Joel Facebook Page. The idea is for it to be a community space where we can all share art, crafts, design, toys, and projects for kids. I love seeing all of the photos and links to many of your crafts, or Made by Joel crafts. Now, if you’d like, you can upload your craft photos to the Made by Joel Facebook …

Made by Joel toys are currently on display in a fun design exhibition in Krakow, Poland. It’s part of the Design Attack Festival and will run through the month of November. The exhibition is about socially engaged design, aesthetic education of children and 3R rules (reduce, reuse, recycle) in design. A very gracious person, Anna, set the whole …

Ohdeedoh recently asked me to participate in a short interview to celebrate Learning at Home month. They asked a few people about their favorite children’s book, illustrator and more. If you want to check it out, click here!

The London based company, Made in Me, has invited me to design some toys with them. They are a fantastic group of people who focus on creating “interactive experiences that inspire kids to play and learn.” I’ve already begun working on some wooden toys for them. Below there are a couple photos of me working on prototypes in my …

LMNOP Magazine recently invited me to be their regular craft contributor, and of course I accepted. I love the magazine. Their new issue was just released yesterday, in which they mentioned that I’ll be working with them. My new column will commence in their next issue. Should be fun! If you haven’t read LMNOP, you can download …